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ROYDEN ROOPER RICHARDSON
Born: Sep 09, 1953
Date of Passing: May 04, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryROYDEN ROOPER RICHARDSON On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in King Township, while driving his 1947 Willy's Jeep, Royden Richardson's life was suddenly taken in a tragic single-vehicle accident. Royden will be lovingly remembered by his wife Beverley; sons Ronald, Bryden and Quinn; mother Shirley; siblings Jim (Leney), Carolyn (Larry Hursh), Serena (Kurt Weinheimer) and Sara (Graeme Thomson); sister-in-law Joan Richardson; his 13 nieces and nephews James, Raif, Cassidy, Sprague and Colton Richardson; Brenden, Danny and Hilary Hursh; Cyrus Weinheimer; and Laurel, Talia, John Gray and Charlotte Thomson; mother- and father-in-law Audrey and Alan Taylor; brothers- and sisters-in-law Linda (Bill Parker), Barbara Taylor (Jim Goatcher) and Perry Taylor (Carol); cousins David (Pamela), Hartley (Heather), Karen, Jamie Benidickson, Kris Benidickson (Shirley), and Kathleen (Alex Ramsay); as well as his extended family and close friends. Royden was predeceased by his father, the Honorable James A. Richardson and brother-in-law Ronald Taylor. Born in Winnipeg, Royden attended St. John's Ravenscourt School, the University of Winnipeg Collegiate and studied at the University of Manitoba where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Economics in 1976. Royden began his 36-year career in financial services and investment management as a Financial Analyst with Richardson Securities of Canada. In 1982 Royden became a member of the Operating Committee of Richardson Greenshields of Canada Limited, and by 1986 held the position of Vice President and Director of Marketing. Dedicated to the growth of the firm, Royden relocated to Toronto in 1987 with his family to assume a senior role in the Investment Banking division. In 1995 Royden became Vice Chairman of Richardson Greenshields and played a strategic role through the acquisition of Richardson Greenshields by the Royal Bank of Canada in 1996. Following the sale of Richardson Greenshields, Royden registered as a Senior Counselling Officer and Portfolio Manager with both the Ontario and Manitoba Securities Commissions. In 2003 he joined FairLane Asset Management Limited as Managing Director; and the Board of Directors of the newly formed Richardson Partners Financial Limited. In addition to his formal responsibilities during RPFL's merger with GMP Investment Management to form Richardson GMP in 2012, Royden was personally remembered for his leadership in introducing and representing the Richardson Family and ensuring the two businesses came together harmoniously. Since this merger, Royden has held the title of Vice Chairman of GMP Investment Management. Royden's extensive contributions to James Richardson & Sons Limited throughout his career include various advisory, committee, investment management and shareholder roles including serving as a Director of JRSL from 2005 to 2010 and Chairing the JRSL Pension Fund. Royden served as a director of Van-Rob Inc., Magna International Ltd. (1990-2009), Primaxis Technology Ventures Inc. and served as Chairman of Gateway Telecom Canada Inc. He also served on the Advisory Boards of KingSett Capital Inc. and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. His not-for-profit work included being a Governor of Junior Achievement of Canada, Chair of the Growth of Excellence Campaign for the Country Day School and most recently he became a Member of the Investment Committee of the David Suzuki Foundation. Royden loved spending summers at the family cottage where social life centered around the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club. He raced Lightnings and the JA-RO-CA-SE, a 32-foot scow, with his father and brother, and always enjoyed their longstanding sailing rivalries with other lake families. When Royden's father became a Member of Parliament, he and his brother Jim became private floatplane pilots so that they could expedite his father's commute from Ottawa and get to the lake faster to enjoy early morning paddles, sunset rides in the Coronado', oversized bonfires and time with friends. His love of flying continued throughout his life. Another passion Royden and his brother Jim shared was their love of hunting on the Delta Marsh and together they designed and built Tundra Lodge in 1977. Located near Portage la Prairie, the lodge is a log cabin that has been home base for countless duck hunting excursions. Here he taught each of his three boys to hunt and they often enjoyed watching the sun rise and set over the marsh. In 1979, Royden met Beverley Taylor and they married on May 3, 1981. Two sons, Royden Ronald, and Bryden Rooper were born in Winnipeg, and a third, Quinn Anthony, when the family moved to Toronto in 1987. Throughout his life Royden had workshops. When he was 15 he spent two years rebuilding a 1947 Willy's Jeep. Later in Toronto, the family car sat outside so he and the boys could build birdhouses, play structures and toy guns in the garage. Workshops were where he spent time conceptualizing, designing, building, modifying and fixing. Here he taught his boys, "Anything worth doing is worth doing well." In 1991 Royden acquired lake property north of Kingston and the young family's early summers were spent roughing it in tents. Instead of building a cottage, Royden used his ingenuity to develop what he liked to call luxury camping.' Wood fires heated a hot tub, solar panels and batteries powered lights, and gravity provided in-line hot running water. During the last three years he has been dedicated to building his dream cottage on an island at Lake of the Woods. He had perfection in mind and no detail was too small to command his full attention. His design for the structures and how they fit flawlessly within the island are a testament to his capabilities, dedication and desire to build a sanctuary for his family. Royden enjoyed golf, tennis, and squash. He participated in cycling vacations with Bev and several Grand Fondo charity rides. Royden's favourite sport was skiing. His knees-together' style was graceful and poetic. Although he skied nearly all resorts in Europe after University, Royden was always keen to have his next ski trip planned whether with family or his lifelong friends. (continued next column...)
Publish Date: May 10, 2013
ROYDEN ROOPER RICHARDSON September 9, 1953 - May 4, 2013 On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in King Township, while driving his 1947 Willy's Jeep, Royden Richardson's life was suddenly taken in a single-vehicle accident. Funeral service will be held in Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, 230 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Junior Achievement of Canada at www.jacan.org/donate or 1 Eva Road, Suite 218, Toronto, ON M9C 4Z5. Our family would appreciate any photos, fond thoughts, memories, and best wishes to be sent to rrr.in.memory@gmail.com. Details of his life to follow.
Publish Date: May 8, 2013
ROYDEN ROOPER RICHARDSON September 9, 1953 May 4, 2013 On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in King Township, while driving his 1947 Willy's Jeep, Royden Richardson's life was suddenly taken in a single-vehicle accident. Funeral service will be held in TIMOTHY EATON MEMORIAL CHURCH, 230 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. If desired and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Junior Achievement of Canada, 1 Eva Road, Suite 218, Toronto M9C 4Z5. Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles Chapel Limited, Toronto 1-800-616-3311. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
Publish Date: May 7, 2013
Publish Date: May 8, 2013
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2013
Condolences & Memories (19 entries)
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On behalf of the cottagers on Desert Lake, please accept our deepest sympathies. I regret that I never had the opportunity to meet Royden, but he is well known and well-liked by the cottagers on our lake. The arrival of the float plane was always observed with interest by my family. Even though we never met, I developed an appreciation and respect for Royden and the Richardson family as I observed the way in which the natural state of your property on Desert Lake has been preserved. I hope that you will return to the lake that he loved and that you will find comfort and solace in the beauty of his "luxury camping" spot. - Posted by: Hendrik Saaltink (President, Desert Lake Property Owners Association) on: May 30, 2013
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I am so sorry for youR loss - you were and I am sure still are, a wonderful family that I have always felt fortunate to have known. My thoughts are with all of you. - Posted by: Chris MacTavish (Long ago help at Lake of the Woods) on: May 24, 2013
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Such a shock..such a Good Man,..living a large ,purposeful life..cut way too short.. Deepest heartfelt sympathy to you Bev and his Boys..mom Shirley and the entire Richardson and Taylor families. ..What a wonderful, meaningful ,spiritual celebration of Roper's life last Friday..seemed like half of Winnipeg was there, and for sure the majority of the lake 'gang'(and many, many more people from The Peg' and around the world, who sadly, were unable to attend, though there in spirit)..As Sara said Bev, you are the love of his life!! and will always be..you brought out the 'softer, spiritual side out of him'...Roper was a scholar, a gentlemen,and a great teacher, was there anything he couldn't do and do well??, he just had to put his mind to it..!!I was 13 when we met, our family had recently moved to River Heights and thru my brother Booms'and Harts friendship our lives all became entwined as LOTW's (Lake of The Woods) kids..I was forever Boomers''little sister' ...He taught me a lot..how to tie the perfect boat knots ,cool boat and car parking tips..,how to take a perfect race corner..though never in his precious Jeep..OH NO..a few sailing lessons, I was wind challenged ...I gave up...though I did learn a lot about winds..he tried, Lord knows.. he had such patience..I loved how his brain worked and how, when you were around him you always learned something new..however useful or useless...I remember, as many of us do !?'helping'!? him, build his float plane dock ..After a VERY LONG detailed instructions on how to drive a nail straight into a 2X4..key word STRAIGHT>>>>and after a few supervised 'practice' runs..he let you 'help' ..didn't take long before he was yanking out most of my nails..."that won't do Marn, it has to be straight"...I 'got' the perfectionism in him..and his pride in a job well done.. "If you're going to do a good job, then you do it right the first time!!"..I know this spring /summer his spirit will be at Billy Goat Island making sure all the nails are driven in straight.. Rest in Peace my friend ..and God Bless YOU and YOUR entire family ..You are all in my Prayers MM - Posted by: Marni McLaughlin (childhood family friend ,life long buddy..) on: May 17, 2013
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We travelled on many business trips with he and his young wife, and became good friends. Spent quality time in Portugal where we were treated like royalty! I have very fond memories of late night walks and talks with Royden. Talked about emailing a lot with my husband, that eventually he bought a 42 foot sailboat Many good memories Right to Nathan Mechanics' passing in November of 2012 , he always remembered his early days at Richardson Greenshield of highest regard! So much of Nathan's beginnings at Richardson Greenshield were some of the best memories of his early working days. Thank-you for everything !; - Posted by: Myra Mechanic (My late husband Nathan Mechanic worked for Richardson Greenshild in Toronto , and was very fond of T) on: May 13, 2013
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One of my earliest memories of Roper was cruising in Craft's houseboat after a Yacht Club Dance and he said 'LOOK! A UFO!' And sure enough up in the starry Lake of the Woods sky at light was moving over head...it didn't flash like a plane, it didn't move in a straight line like a satellite...I'm sure he never remembered that moment but for some reason so many decades later whenever I look up at the night sky I wonder what we saw...Something normal I know...but it was a magical time at the Lake and he'll always be a part of it and he'll always be a part of my life experience...I share in the grief that has hit us all. He was a remarkable man. - Posted by: Prof. Dr. Jeff McLaughlin (family friend) on: May 11, 2013
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Bev, Ronald, Bryden and Quinn, I wish you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts. I will always remember Royden's laughs when he played with the boys and how much he enjoyed Polish meatballs. He would ask for them when you were not around, sneaking in this little treat. I will always have fond memories of those times. - Posted by: Daria Koralewska () on: May 10, 2013
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I will always have fond memories of Roydon from university days. I had the pleasure of hanging with his two cousins (Dave and Hartley)and Royden during those years and we all graduated at roughly the same time. Between classes and exams there were lots of great ski trips, terrific parties, family events and generally very good times. Royden will always be remembered as a very nice guy and a true gentleman. He will be missed by many. Condolences to his family. - Posted by: Cori Simms (friend in university) on: May 09, 2013
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Royden and I attended University of Winnipeg together. We became friends over that short period of time. We have been able to get caught up a few times over the years. I am so pleased to hear that he had such an interesting and full life with a wife and family he cared about so deeply. Please accept my sympathies. - Posted by: Pamela Carson (Friend from the old days) on: May 09, 2013
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I worked in research at Richardson Securities when Royden was training as an analyst. He was always easy to talk with and I enjoyed his sense of humour. Over the years our work paths separated but Royden always made an effort to say hi and ask how things were going when we did meet again. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: John Cheyne (Worked in research dept. 1974 - 1982) on: May 09, 2013
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A class act. My heartfelt sympathies to his family. - Posted by: Anna-Claire Mertei (Former RG Employee (1981-1988)) on: May 09, 2013
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Royden a true gentleman. He will be missed. - Posted by: Victor Levy (RG employee) on: May 09, 2013
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Please accept my condolences on behalf of the former staff of the RG office in Frankfurt/Germany. Royden has been a convincing and charming representative of the Richardson family in the securities business. He will be sorely missed. Sincerly, Gerhard Pfeiffer - Posted by: Gerhard Pfeiffer (former RG director in Frankfurt) on: May 09, 2013
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My favorite memory of Royden is hopping a lift in his Cessna to a sailing regatta which we were late for. We barrel rolled out of the plane while he was taxiing and we made the race. We will miss you Royden, but we will always have our great memories. My most sincere condolences to his children, wife and his many family members who loved him dearly. - Posted by: Lee Nuttall (Family friend) on: May 09, 2013
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Whenever I engaged in conversation with Royden he was all ears. A man with much class and passion. I will remember forever his tales of flying to his Yurts in the middle of the Canadian North and how much he enjoyed both the pampered life of King and the hard, stoic existence of the remote Canadian Shield. - Posted by: Donald Corbett (social) on: May 09, 2013
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Royden was our closest day-to-day link to our largest shareholder at Richardson Greenshields in Toronto and in any brokerage house that job is very difficult to do but Royden always made us feel very important, both as a friend and as a colleague, and he did this with sincerity and with aplomb. Our investment banking department became very successful in that era and we will remember and miss Royden, our fond memories of him, doing business with a great professional of the securities industry. My sympathies go to his whole family. - Posted by: Jean-Pierre Colin (senior investment banker at Richardson Greenshields) on: May 09, 2013
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I worked for Richardson Securities in Winnipeg, and met Royden in his early days as an analyst. In my subsequent career with Richardson Securities (Pacific), I also had the opportunity to meet with Royden in Hong Kong. He was a strong business leader and will be very much missed. David M. Nesbitt - Posted by: David M. Nesbitt (Friend and former RG colleague) on: May 08, 2013
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I spent a lot of my early teenage, formative years growing up at the lake of the woods, much of it on Roper's dock. As such we grew up together. I have many fond memories of him, both escapades at the lake and on the slopes at Sunshine. He was a great guy and will be sorely missed. - Posted by: Jim Shore (Childhood friend) on: May 08, 2013
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Please accept my condolences on behalf of everyone at Queen’s University on the death of Royden. Queen’s and the Richardson family have a special connection and we share your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sincerely, Daniel Dr Daniel Woolf, FRSC Principal and Vice-Chancellor Queen's University - Posted by: Daniel Woolf (Friend of the family) on: May 08, 2013
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Royden and I worked very closely together during my tenure with Richardson Greenshields in Toronto. He was a great boss, and terrific mentor. Royden was very passionate about his work and he tried to instill that passion in those around him. Royden will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family. - Posted by: Tom Ethans (former RG employee) on: May 07, 2013
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